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Jean de Villiers leads a Stormers side in Bloemfontein that is now very firmly in the unaccustomed position of playing catch-up in the South African conference. While narrow away losses to the Bulls and Sharks could be absorbed with little concern, last week’s home reversal against the Crusaders must now have started a few alarm bells ringing down in the Cape as Allister Coetzee’s men aim for a third straight conference win.

They’ve been forced into changes, though – and not all of them injury-related.

Gerhard van den Heever is out for a fortnight, leading to a start at fullback for Jaco Taute, while Joe Pietersen shifts to wing. Nic Groom comes in at scrumhalf, with Steve Kitshoff, now free from suspension, replacing Pat Cilliers in the front row. Another injury-enforced change sees Mike Rhodes start his first Super Rugby game for his new side as he replaces Rynardt Elstadt at blind side flank.

Andries Bekker becomes the first player to represent the Stormers 100 times in Super Rugby.